There is an understanding of right and wrong that transcends religion and culture

SolitaryRoad.com

Website owner:  James Miller

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As I reflect over the days of my early youth I would say that whatever my mental strengths and weaknesses may have been as a young child — however well or poorly I may have stacked up against other people in regard to things like, for example, memory or quickness in learning — one thing I was very good at was observing other people’s moral strengths and weaknesses (including those of adults). As a young boy (younger than, say, age nine) I would say that I had excellent moral vision. I was very capable of accurately observing the moral strengths and weaknesses in people near me. I knew right and wrong, good and bad behavior. (I, of course, only observed and noted other people’s actions and character tendencies. I never commented to anyone about what I thought; I kept all that I thought to myself. I was taught strict, unquestioning obedience, strict respect for elders as a child, and never would have had the presumption to say anything or make any comments. Children didn’t talk to adults on the adult level, they just listened and obeyed — with the enforcement of heavy punishment for disobedience.)

As a child I had a strong liking for honesty and truth and didn’t like dishonesty. I didn’t like swearing, bad language, drinking, or smoking. I liked moral, virtuous behavior and didn’t like immoral behavior. Adultery and fornication were turnoffs. I liked decency and didn’t like indecency. I could see through people, see their mind and motives. I didn’t like to hear anyone talking badly of another person behind their back. Even as a young child it was very important to me to not to do anyone any injustice. I would not take any accusation against any person seriously unless it was backed up by incontestable proof. I would refuse to pass judgment on anyone unless I have seen the evidence with my own eyes. I would say that my moral values and outlook were, in many ways, just about the same at that young age as they are today. I would say that whatever my various weaknesses may have been, I did exhibit a considerable amount of prudence as a child. (I knew when to keep my mouth shut.) Where did this good sense and clear moral vision come from? I don’t think it came from the Bible because I had it before I started reading the Bible. Perhaps some of it came via osmosis from my parents or the church we went to. However, I remember being impressed by many good qualities in my father when I was only four or five years old. How did I get such good moral vision at that young age? It suggests good judgment and the ability to think for myself.

I think everyone is born with a knowledge of right and wrong. Some people just retain it while other people lose it by going against it in doing wrong things — as by following temptation or the crowd. The voice is subtle and is easy to override. In reading the writings of wise men from many different religions, cultures, and eras there is, in wise, good men, an understanding of right and wrong that transcends religion and culture.

11 May 2021